On a point of order, my question was why the Taoiseach would not hold a public inquiry.

I apologise. I have an answer for the Senator. I had written the name NAMA in shorthand. The Senator raised the issue in the context of the sales in Northern Ireland. As she will be aware, officials from NAMA appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts to answer further questions from Members of the Oireachtas. The committee has been very much on top of the issue. As anyone interested in the matter will have, the Senator will have seen the opinion article in The Irish Times by Mr. Frank Daly of NAMA in which he referred to the committee hearings. In summary, NAMA outlined the sales process for the committee and stated it had been conducted in line with international best practice, that the integrity of the process had been fully protected and that all bidders had equal access to information. Anyone who wishes to do so can read the transcripts. NAMA has also committed to responding in writing to questions the Northern Ireland Committee on Finance and Personnel may have about the sale which were not covered during the appearances before the Committee of Public Accounts. On 4 September NAMA responded in detail to the committee's questions. The full responses which I am told run to more than 300 pages, although I have not looked at them, are available on NAMA's website. They were also provided for the Committee of Public Accounts. Those with an interest in the matter may wish to read this material. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, has also received a request from the Northern Ireland committee for documents relevant to its investigation. Department of Finance officials are working on this request. There is, therefore, a good deal of work under way in investigating the claims and allegations made, which is what they remain.

Senator Terry Brennan spoke about sports grants, an issue I have addressed. We all welcome them.

Senator Mary White spoke about the daft.ie report and the issue of inheritance tax. I thank her for informing us that she had presented her proposal and petition on the issue to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan. As I stated last week, it is important that colleagues who have constructive proposals to make to the Minister to be considered in the context of the budget submit them well in advance. I did this in respect of the cycle to school scheme. Earlier this year I suggested tax incentives be introduced for the purchase of bicycles for schoolchildren to enable them to cycle to school. I submitted my proposals to the Minister. Therefore, it is worthwhile for any colleague with budgetary proposals to present them to him. We will await developments on Senator Mary White's proposal.

Senator Michael Mullins suggested adjustments be made in the budget. I do not know, but we can wait and see what will happen on Tuesday.

Ask Senator Paul Coghlan.